US Bridges

FM over Pilot Creek

Poor

Pocahontas County, Iowa · 092310407 · Structure no. 000000000279211

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
103 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
509
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Pilot Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying FM over Pilot Creek in Pocahontas County, Iowa. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 years old, older than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 509 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 509 by 2043. The structure is 103 ft (31.4 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesPilot Creek
Location092310407
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPocahontas County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.81275, -94.52146
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating55.3 US tons
Inventory rating33.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length103 ft (31.4 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic509 (2022)
Projected traffic509 by 2043
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1.2 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Pilot Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Pilot Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Pilot Creek carry?

About 509 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is FM over Pilot Creek?

The structure is 103 ft (31.4 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Pilot Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.